Murphy and primary rival Kathleen Kane have been playing a vigorous round of "Beat This" when it comes to the endorsement sweepstakes. Earlier this month, Kamp Kane trumpeted an endorsement from former Prez Bill Clinton.

Axelrod told the P-G that his announcement was a personal display for Murphy, the former Bucks County congressman. Obama will most likely not make any formal primary endorsements.

Axelrod called Murphy an "extraordinarily talented" ally of the White House during his second term representing Bucks' 8th CD.

"Patrick has been a friend and supporter of President Obama," Axelrod told the P-G's Laura Olson. "In the Congress he was really a go-to guy when we were trying to handle the war in Iraq responsibly. When we wanted to end the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, Patrick took that on."